Anti-Malarial Drugs and Lupus

The Lupus Navigator recently received a question about Plaquenil.

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), like Aralen (chloroquine) and Atabrine (quinacrine) are anti-malarial drugs used to treat lupus.

These drugs were designed to treat malaria and during World War II, were discover to also treat symptoms of lupus – specifically muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, pericarditis, pleuritic, and other symptoms – like fatigue and fever.

Anti-malarial medications are safe to take with other medications and have been found safe during pregnancy. There are some side effects – the most serious is potential damage to the retina (light sensitive part of the eye). This sort of damage is rare and occurs after using the anti-malarial drug for five or more years. It is important to see an ophthalmologist for an exam before starting the drug and at least once a year while on the medication.

In an LSI Teleconference on Lupus and Infections, Dr James Curran, LSI Medical Advisory Board member, discussed that the value of Plaquenil, saying “It is the safest medication we use.”

Side effects Hydroxychloroquine may cause: (Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away):

headache

dizziness

loss of appetite

nausea

diarrhea

stomach pain

vomiting

skin rash

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).